Chapter 253: with translation of chapter title

On the way upstairs, Wang Kun's expression kept shifting.

He recalled what Zhang Tie had said half an hour earlier.

(One Second Level isn't enough to kill...)

Is that statement true or false?

Is he saying that on purpose to intimidate us, or is it really the case?

Anyone can talk big.

Just like when he previously bragged to Fan Bing that his brothers were going to build a Safe Zone.

But in reality, his brothers couldn't even gather a hundred Awakened Ones, let alone kill that many Mutants to complete the mission.

But so what; that doesn't stop him from talking big and painting a grand picture.

Boasting isn't illegal, and there are still plenty of people on the channel bragging about stepping on Lin An and punching General Li.

Just...

But he personally saw Zhang Tie heading straight for the location of a Second-Level Mutant.

He may not be exceptionally bright, but as a middle-aged man who has struggled in society for many years, he is naturally much more cautious.

After a while.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Wang Kun's eyes as he gave up pondering which possibility it was.

Seek wealth amid danger.

He didn't believe Lin An's team could be that strong!

Second Level...

Damn it, it's not a First Level; you can't just say you'll kill it and expect to do so.

First find Li Lei to discuss it before making a decision!

"Bang bang-bang"

The door was knocked on.

After a long while, Li Lei opened the door with a somewhat displeased expression, his tone impatient.

"Wang Kun, what exactly are you up to? Can't you see I'm about to sleep?"

Wang Kun entered with a grim face and, after coming in, reflexively pulled the door shut:

"Can you still sleep?"

"Are you really stupid or just pretending? Didn't you notice that little girl outside?"

"Her ability is to ignore zombies! She summons zombies!"

When Wang Kun spoke of Mo Ling, his tone betrayed excitement he couldn't hide.

Li Lei snorted coldly in his heart upon hearing it, not speaking right away.

He certainly noticed Mo Ling's skill.

Compared to Wang Kun, his excitement was only greater, not less.

But precisely because of that, he chose to rush upstairs to communicate with his master.

Unexpectedly, just as they were halfway through their discussion, Wang Kun hurriedly found him.

"I certainly noticed it."

"So, what do you want to do?"

Li Lei sat on the sofa, legs crossed, glancing at him sideways with a lazy, indifferent air.

"What do I want to do!?"

"You say what I want to do!?"

"Surely it's to get hold of that little girl!"

Wang Kun suppressed his anger, plopped down in the opposite seat, and quickly replied:

"Li Lei, let me tell you. That pretty boy's equipment very likely came about with the help of Mo Ling's ability!"

"Don't you remember seeing many places overrun by zombies when we fled?"

"Those places were full of equipment!"

"If we snatch that little girl over, wouldn't all that equipment become ours?"

After saying that, Wang Kun stared hard at Li Lei's face, trying to read any extra expression.

He always felt Li Lei was hiding something, and he didn't believe this kid hadn't thought of that.

On the sofa, Li Lei feigned contemplation, then suddenly realized:

"Oh!"

"What you say actually explains where that pretty boy's equipment came from."

"I told you! That guy doesn't look like he could kill a Mutant, and he carries a broken sword on his back that's laughable."

"Aside from that bald guy who seems a bit capable, the rest of his team—those archers—don't look like strong fighters at all."

"So, how do you plan to snatch it?"

"Kill them?"

Li Lei pulled a wrinkled cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a puff, hooking his head.

He blew out smoke rings that drifted onto Wang Kun's half‑squinting face.

A faint scent of tobacco rose in the room.

Wang Kun took a deep breath, then asked for a cigarette:

"It's not necessary to kill him."

"I'm worried he's very strong."

Do you still remember them asking about the second-level mutant?

If it's true, the three of us aren't enough for them to kill.

I plan to test them first, then have them join our team.

I'll just say my brother's side is preparing to build a safe zone and invite them to join.

Wang Kun intentionally probed Li Lei, meanwhile throwing out his own doubts.

This kid was just pretending too obviously earlier; did he suddenly have an epiphany?

Anyone with a bit of brains could figure that out.

Li Lei exhaled a puff of smoke ash, smacking his lower lip:

How come you're scared?

They said if you can take down a second-level, you can take down anything? I even said I could kill a third-level by myself!

Who can't brag?

Get some poison, find a chance to ambush, and we could definitely kill that kid!

Still let them join us? You want to grovel for them, but I won't!

Li Lei exhaled a puff of smoke ash, smacking his lower lip: 'Hold on, I misread.'

That's almost impossible!

Even his master, such a powerful existence, finds the Second Level somewhat troublesome; First Level Awakened Ones before the Second Level are nothing but a dish!

What's more, he has long taken a dislike to Lin An.

He even secretly doesn't want to admit that Fan Bing thinks that kid is more handsome than himself, and thus even feels some fondness.

Didn't the master say that?

I, heck, am the protagonist! This pretty boy is just here to bring treasures and slap Laozi in the face!

Wang Kun's heart stirred; he actually thought much the same as Li Lei.

We are all First Level, and he truly doesn't believe anyone can hunt a Second Level Mutant.

Especially that bald big man, in his speech he doesn't even take the Second Level seriously, wishing a few more would come so he could kill them for fun.

He overacted.

If he acted more cautiously, he might actually believe these outsiders have the ability to hunt.

Skillfully lighting a cigarette, Wang Kun took a puff and narrowed his eyes slightly:

"What do you plan to do? Test the waters first or go straight in?"

"You mean poisoning, using that highly toxic spirit plant you found last time?"

"If we go straight in, those outsiders are as good as dead; poisoning would be extremely difficult…"

Li Lei finished his last puff, hesitated a moment, then slowly spoke:

"Let's go straight in; there's nothing to test."

"Put bluntly, that little girl is something we both must get."

"Such an opportunity handed to us—if we don't go all out, it's a waste."

"Don't even think about recruiting that kid; at most mention it casually and see the reaction."

"As for how to poison…"

Li Lei stroked his chin, his eyes showing some hesitation.

His master had taught him how to do it, but the method made him dislike it.

It's not that he thinks poisoning is too despicable; it's purely because this involves Fan Bing.

After struggling a moment, he still decided to follow his master's instructions:

"Have Fan Bing send the spirit plant over, saying it's an apology."

"I don't believe that kid won't be moved upon seeing the spirit plant! No one can detect any problem with that mutant Manchineel Flower."

"Didn't you also come into contact with it last time? The system only indicated it was a Second Level spirit plant, and eating it brings considerable benefits!"

"Let's pretend we want to join them, then have Fan Bing use a beauty scheme to lower their guard."

"I don't believe that kid won't take the bait!"

Wang Kun's heart stirred; he pretended to smoke while thinking.

The highly toxic spirit plant Manchineel Flower was obtained by the two of them unintentionally.

Back then, over this Second Level spirit plant, the two almost came to blows.

In the end, Li Lei inexplicably said this thing was poisonous; half‑believing, half‑doubting, he had someone test it before finally giving up.

Even ingesting a tiny bit of that spirit plant can instantly turn a person into a puddle of pus; its toxicity is terrifyingly extreme.

Just that.

He has always wondered how Li Lei managed to discern the toxicity.

To be honest, the system's appraisal detected nothing at all about that thing.

After a moment's thought, Wang Kun couldn't immediately figure out a clue.

However, Li Lei's method is indeed feasible, and he also believes no one can resist this temptation.

Second Level spirit plant…

It has never appeared even once in the entire chat channel.

Even the occasional First Level spirit plant that appears is sought after by countless people.

Many forces are buying them up in bulk; as long as you're willing to sell, they'll give you whatever you want—women, food, anything!

Equipment, Mo Ling, Safe Zone.

In an instant, the two in the room breathed heavily, practically itching to act right away.